Trick or Treat

When a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, I wake up.
I call 311 to ask what to do.
311 directs all carbon monoxide inquiries to 911.
911 dispatches the call to the Fire Department.
911 dispatches all carbon monoxide inquiries to the Fire Department.
I tell the 911 operator I think the alarm is low on batteries.
I hear the wail of sirens.
I see two fire engines outside my window.
I see enough firemen to man two fire engines.
My flatmates put on robes.
I meet five firemen in the stairwell.
I tell the firemen I think the alarm is low on batteries.
One of the firemen is lugging industrial fire extinguishers.
One of the firemen is brandishing a spear.
One of the firemen is holding a hand-held carbon monoxide monitor.
There are acceptable levels of carbon monoxide in the apartment.
One of the firemen suggests the possibility that the alarm is low on batteries.
The tallest fireman removes the alarm from the ceiling and removes the batteries.
A flystrip covered in tiny fly bodies sticks to the helmet of the tall fireman.
The flystrip unsticks from the helmet and only my flatmates and I notice.
We offer to make them coffee.
The firemen are on duty. They linger on the stoop.

flystrip, originally uploaded by whitney lauren.

two fire trucks, originally uploaded by whitney lauren.

What's your costume?